SEC Football

Texas A&M QB out indefinitely with broken leg

Texas A&M quarterback Haynes King, center, is helped off the field after being injured in the first half of an NCAA college football game against Colorado, Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

COLLEGE STATION, Texas — Texas A&M quarterback Haynes King is out indefinitely after having surgery to repair his broken right leg, suffered early in the seventh-ranked Aggies' 10-7 win at Colorado over the weekend.

Coach Jimbo Fisher said Monday that King’s surgery to repair a broken tibia went well but that there is no timeline for his return. The Aggies (2-0) are scheduled to host New Mexico on Saturday before a neutral-site game against No. 20 Arkansas the following week in Arlington, Texas.

“When you’re healed, you’re healed," Fisher said. "We would never play him in any way, shape or form before that."

With King out, Zach Calzada becomes the team’s starter this week. King won the job just before the season opener after he and Calzada competed throughout camp.

“We’ve still got a great quarterback in Zach Calzada and feel very comfortable with him doing things," Fisher said.

Calzada had his share of ups and downs after taking over for King on Saturday. He lost a fumble near the goal line with about nine minutes left, but bounced back to throw an 18-yard TD pass with 2:41 left to give the Aggies the win.

Fisher was impressed with the way Calzada maintained his poise after his mistake.

“He faced as much adversity in that game as anybody I’ve been around in a long time," Fisher said. “And the way he stood up, made plays, did the things he did, hopefully that will give him the confidence to understand what kind of player he can be."

He finished 18 of 38 for 183 yards.